Margaret Lindgren and Harmony Susalla had permission to hike to this magnificent rock, which in Mendocino County.
The two women climbed the rock, but it wasn't an easy assent. Margaret took this photo from the top. She said they could see the Point Arena Lighthouse in the distance.
A dramatic photo of Harmony being embraced by the sun on top of this rock will be in tomorrow's edition of the Independent Coast Observer.
Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Harmony Susalla found this moth on a flower pot near her home. I have to admit I have never seen one of these so Will Erickson to the rescue. He identified it as a Owlet Moth, Noctuidae.
Isn't it beautifully marked? These moths are preyed upon by bats, as they fly at night. But many of these moths have an organ in their ear that can sense a bat's call. The wing muscles then go into spasms, causing it to fly erratically. Mother Nature sure gave this moth an interesting escape mechanism!
The other insect Harmony photographed was seen at Gualala Point Regional Park. According to Will, it's a Scarab Beetle, Dichelonyx.
Thanks to Harmony for allowing me to share her photos and thanks to Will for identifying these beauties. To see Harmony's beautiful organic textiles, here's the link to her website: http://www.harmonyart.com/
Harmony Susalla and her friend, Fred Adler, were hiking by the Gualala Point Regional Park campground. The small but exquisite campground is framed by the Gualala River. Harmony took a beautiful photo that shows the wonderful melange of colors in February.
It looks rather like a painting, don't you agree? Thanks to Harmony for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Harmony creates organic textiles. I wonder if the above scene will inspire her to create a new fabric. Here's her website: http://www.harmonyart.com/
To learn more about Gualala Point Regional Park, one of the jewels on the Coast, here's the link: http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_glala.htm